Newton released a seven-minute campaign video centering around a challenge to the other finalist for the honor, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

"My first challenge goes out to you, Mr. Megatron, Calvin Johnson," Newton says. "If you are who you say you are, and you want to be Mr. Madden '13, can you play Madden? My challenge is to you. I would be willing to webcam video stream us playing a one-on-one game of Madden. Xbox, PlayStation 3, Atari, GameCube, PSP, PS Vita, it doesn't matter, we can even go to the Sega."

Fans have voted Newton and Johnson through a 64-player tournament. The winner will be announced live, April 25, on ESPN's SportsNation.

"One, you've never seen a Detroit player on the cover," he said. "Two, it would be huge for the city. You can only imagine. Then, after that, it gives a lot to my foundation and my charities I work with back home and in Detroit."

In addition to challenging Johnson to a game of Madden, Newton also extended the same invitation to fans. After showing off his gaming lounge with side-by-side televisions hooked up to different gaming consoles, Newton shared his username information for both the PlayStation and XBox gaming networks.

"This is no game," Newton said. "This is no facade. I really am an official Madden player."